Image reading method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image reading method and apparatus are provided to make it possible to reduce the time required for reading of a film image, and to reduce wear of a magnetic head and damage to a film which are caused by conveying of the film. There are provided a reading device which reads film images sequentially recorded on an elongated photographic film, a magnetically recorded data reading device which reads magnetically recorded data magnetically recorded on the photographic film, a conveying device for conveying the photographic film, and control device for controlling the reading device to carry out the preliminary reading of each of film images recorded on the photographic film while controlling the conveying device to convey the photographic film in a predetermined direction, and for controlling the magnetically recorded data reading device to read the first magnetically recorded date concurrently with the preliminary reading of the film images by the reading means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image reading method and apparatus,and particularly to an image reading method and apparatus in whichpreliminary reading of an image is carried out, and based on the resultsof the preliminary reading, a reading condition for the main reading ofthe image is determined, and further, the main reading for the image iscarried out under the determined reading condition.

2. Description of the Related Art

There has conventionally been known an image processing system in whicha film image recorded on a photographic film is read by an image readingapparatus having a reading sensor such as a CCD, and image data obtainedby the reading of the film image is subjected to image processingincluding various types of correction and the like, and thereafter, animage is recorded onto a recording material or shown on a display.

Further, as the film image, there exist images which have variousdensities ranging from low density to high density. Accordingly, inorder to obtain a recorded or a displayed image having a desired imagequality, the image reading apparatus carried out a preliminary readingof a film image (so-called pre-scan), determines a reading conditioncorresponding to a density of the film image (for example, the amount oflight irradiated on the film image, the charge accumulation time of aCCD, or the like), and further, reads the film image under thedetermined reading condition (so-called fine scan).

When a scanner having a unidimensional reading sensor such as a line CCDis used as the reading means of an image reading apparatus to read filmimages, reading of a film image, i.e., pre-scan and fine scan, iscarried out while a photographic film is being conveyed in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system of the scannerat a predetermined speed.

Example of the photographic film to be read by the image readingapparatus are 135-size films, 240-size films, Brownie-size films, andthe like. Among these films, 240-size films (which will be hereinafterreferred to as APS films) have a magnetic layer formed thereon, and datawhich expresses photographing conditions (for example, photographingtime, whether an electric flash was used, the amount of exposure duringphotographing, and the like) for each frame is magnetically recorded onthe magnetic layer at the time of photographing. The magneticallyrecorded data which is magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer isnecessary for calculation of the reading condition for fine scan and ofthe processing condition for image processing of the image data obtainedby the fine scan.

Accordingly, when a film image recorded on the APS film is read, readingof the magnetically recorded data which is magnetically recorded on themagnetic layer must be carried out in addition to pre-scan and finescan, and thus, one roll of APS film must be conveyed at least threetimes. Accordingly, there exists a drawback in that much time isrequired for reading of the film image and the processing capacity ofthe apparatus thereby deteriorates.

Further, the APS film set in the scanner is conveyed in a state ofconstantly contacting a magnetic head for reading the magneticallyrecorded data, which magnetic head is disposed close to a film conveyingpath of a film carrier for conveying the APS film. As described above,in the case of the APS film, the film is conveyed during reading of thefilm image, and therefore, wear of the magnetic head occurs at an earlystage and the life duration of the magnetic head is shortened. Therealso exists a drawback in that the APS film conveyed in the state ofcontacting the magnetic head is apt to be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-described circumstances, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide an image reading method and apparatus whichcan reduce the time required for reading of a film image and can reducewear of a magnetic head for reading magnetically recorded data anddamage to a film.

When a film image is read by a scanner having a line CCD sensor or thelike, a film conveying speed suitable for pre-scan is, for example, 150to 250 mm/second and a film conveying speed suitable for fine scan is,for example, 36 mm/ second. Further, it is desired that a film beconveyed at a speed of 100 mm/second or more for stable reading ofmagnetically recorded data from the magnetic layer of the APS film.

The present inventors achieved the present invention by having come tothe conclusion that, in consideration of the film conveying speedssuitable for pre-scan, reading of magnetically recorded data, and finescan, pre-scan and reading of magnetically recorded data can be effectedconcurrently at the same conveying speed (for example, 150 to 200mm/second), and preliminary reading of a film image and reading ofmagnetically recorded data can be effected concurrently during one filmconveying operation, so as to reduce the number of film conveyingoperations.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image reading apparatus in which preliminary reading iscarried out for a film image recorded on an elongated photographic film,and a main reading condition for main reading of the film image isdetermined based on results of the preliminary reading, and main readingof the film image is carried out under the main reading condition,comprising reading device which reads the film image recorded on thephotographic film, magnetically recorded data reading device which readsfirst magnetically recorded data which is magnetically recorded on amagnetic recording layer of the photographic film, conveying devicewhich conveys the photographic film and control device for controllingthe reading device to carry out the preliminary reading of each of filmimages recorded on the photographic film while controlling the conveyingdevice to convey the photographic film in a predetermined direction, andfor controlling the magnetically recorded data reading device to readthe first magnetically recorded date concurrently with the preliminaryreading of the film images by the reading device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image reading apparatus in which the film imagessequentially recorded on the elongated photographic film are read by thescanner using line image sensor.

According to each of the first and second aspects of the presentinvention, the preliminary reading of a film image and the reading ofmagnetically recorded data are effected concurrently during one filmconveying operation, and therefore, the number of times the film must beconveyed in order to read of the film image can be reduced and the timerequired for reading of the film image can be shortened. Further, wearof a magnetic head for reading magnetically recorded data and damage tothe film, which are caused by the conveying of the film, can belessened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital laboratory systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the digital laboratory system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical system of a lineCCD scanner.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram which schematically shows the structure of anelectric system of the line CCD scanner.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram which schematically shows the structure of animage processing section

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical system of a laserprinter section.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram which schematically shows the structure of theelectric system of the laser printer section and the structure of theelectric system of a processor section.

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a film carrier.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart which shows the details of reading conditioncalculation processing.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart which shows the details of film image readingprocessing.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart which shows an example of a sequence in whicha photographic film is conveyed and a film image is read.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the attached drawings, an embodiment of the presentinvention will be hereinafter described in detail. First, a descriptionwill be given of a digital laboratory system according to the embodimentof the present invention.

Overview of an Entire System:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of a digital laboratory system 10according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows theexterior appearance of the digital laboratory system 10. As shown inFIG. 1, the laboratory system 10 is structured to include a line CCDscanner 14, an image processing section 16, a laser printer section 18,and a processor section 20. The line CCD scanner 14 and the imageprocessing section 16 are integrated to form an input section 26 shownin FIG. 2 and the laser printer section 18 and the processor section 20are integrated to form an output section 28 shown in FIG. 2. The inputsection 26 corresponds to an image reading apparatus according to thepresent invention and the line CCD scanner 14 corresponds to readingmeans of the present invention.

The line CCD scanner 14 is used to read a film image recorded on aphotographic film such as a negative film and a reversal film. Examplesof the photographic film on which a film image to be read is recordedinclude a photographic film in 135 magazines, a photographic film in 110magazines, and a photographic film with a transparent magnetic layerformed thereon (i.e., a photographic film in 240 magazines: a so-calledAPS film), and photographic films in 120 magazines and 220 magazines(Brownie size). The line CCD scanner 14 reads the film image to be read,as described above, by a line CCD and outputs image data.

The image processing section 16 is structured to allow input of imagedata outputted from the line CCD scanner 14 (i.e., scan image data) andalso allow input of image data obtained by photographing using a digitalcamera, image data obtained by reading an original other than the filmimage (for example, an reflection original) by a scanner, image datagenerated by a computer, and the like (which will be genericallyreferred to as file image data) from the outside (for example, input ofimage data via a storage medium such as a memory card or input of imagedata from the other information processing equipment via a communicationline).

The image processing section 16 effects image processing includingvarious corrections and the like for the input image data and outputsthe image data, as recording image data, to the laser printer section18. Further, the image processing section 16 also can output the imagedata subjected to the image processing, as an image file, to the outside(for example, the image data can be outputted to a storage medium suchas a memory card or transferred to the other information processingequipment via a communication line).

The laser printer section 18 includes laser light sources of R, G, and Band causes laser light modulated to correspond to the recording imagedata inputted from the image processing section 16 to be irradiated on aphotographic printing paper so as to record an image on the photographicprinting paper by scan exposure processing. Further, the processorsection 20 effects various processes including color development,bleach-fix, washing, and drying for the photographic printing paper onwhich an image is recorded by scan exposure processing in the laserprinter section 18. As a result, an image is formed on the photographicprinting paper.

Structure of Line CCD Scanner:

Next, a description will be given of the structure of the line CCDscanner 14. FIG. 3 shows a schematic structure of an optical system ofthe line CCD scanner 14. This optical system includes a light source 30comprised of a halogen lamp or a metal halide lamp and applying light tothe photographic film 22. A light diffusion box 36 by which light to beirradiated on the photographic film 22 is made into diffused light isdisposed at a light emission side of the light source 30.

The photographic film 22 is conveyed by a film carrier 38 (shown in FIG.5, but not shown in FIG. 3) disposed at a light emission side of thelight diffusion box 36 such that film images sequentially pass throughan optical-axis position. In FIG. 3, there is shown an elongatedphotographic film 22. However, a film carrier used exclusively for slidefilms (reversal film) which are held in a holder for a slide for eachframe and a film carrier used exclusively for APS films are alsoprovided. (The film carrier used exclusively for APS films has amagnetic head for reading magnetically recorded data which ismagnetically recorded on the magnetic layer of the film.) In this way,these photographic films can also be conveyed to the optical-axisposition.

Light adjusting filters 114C, 114M, and 114Y of cyan (C), magenta (M),and yellow (Y) are disposed between the light source 30 and the lightdiffusion box 36 sequentially along the optical axis of emitted light. Alens unit 40 which allows imaging of light transmitted through the filmimage and a line CCD 116 are disposed, sequentially along the opticalaxis, at the side of the photographic film 22 opposite to the side atwhich the light source 30 is disposed. Although in FIG. 3 only a singlelens is shown as the lens unit 40, the lens unit 40 is actually a zoomlens formed from a plurality of lenses.

The line CCD 116 is structured in such a manner that a sensing portion,in which a large number of CCD cells and photoelectric conversionelements such as photodiode are disposed in one row and an electronicshutter mechanism is disposed, is provided in each of three lines whichare parallel to each other at intervals and color separation filters ofR, G, and B are respectively mounted on the light-incidence sides of thesensing portions (i.e., the line CCD 116 is a so-called three-line colorCCD). The line CCD 116 is disposed in such a manner that a lightreceiving surface of each sensing portion coincides with the position ofan imaging point of the lens unit 40. Further, a transfer portioncomprised of a large number of CCD cells is provided in the vicinity ofeach sensing portion so as to correspond to the sensing portion. Thecharge accumulated in each of the CCD cells of each sensing portion issequentially transferred via a corresponding transfer portion. Althoughnot illustrated, a shutter is provided between the line CCD 116 and thelens unit 40.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic structure of an electric system of the line CCDscanner 14. The line CCD scanner 14 includes a microprocessor 46 whicheffects control of the entire line CCD scanner 14. RAM 64 (for example,SRAM), ROM 66 (for example, ROM which can rewrite the stored content)are connected via a bus 62 to the microprocessor 46, and a motor driver48 is also connected to the microprocessor 46. A filter driving motor 54is connected to the motor driver 48. The filter driving motor 54 allowsthe light adjusting filters 114C, 114M, and 114Y to slide-moveindependently.

The microprocessor 46 allows the light source 30 to be turned on and offin accordance with the on-off operation of a power source switch (notshown). Further, during reading of a film image by the line CCD 116(i.e., photometric processing), the microprocessor 46 causes the filterdriving motor 54 to slidingly move the light adjusting filters 114C,114M, and 114Y independently, so as to adjust the amount of light madeincident on the line CCD 116 for each of the component color lights.

Also connected to the motor driver 48 are a zoom driving motor 70 and alens driving motor 106. The zoom driving motor 70 varies a zoommagnification of the lens unit 40 by relatively moving the positions ofthe plurality of lenses of the lens unit 40. The lens driving motor 106moves the position of an imaging point of the lens unit 40 by moving theentire lens unit 40 along the optical axis. The microprocessor 46 variesthe zoom magnification of the lens unit 40 by the zoom driving motor 70to a desired magnification in accordance with the size of the filmimage, in accordance with whether trimming is to be carried out, and thelike.

Further, on the basis of data of a film image read by the line CCD 116,the microprocessor 46 effects focusing control to move the position ofthe imaging point of the lens unit 40 by the lens driving motor 106 sothat the contrast of the film image is made a maximum. As a result, theposition of the imaging point of the lens unit 40 is made coincidentwith the light receiving surface of the line CCD 116. The focusingcontrol may also be effected based on a distance detected by a distancesensor in place of film-image data, the distance sensor being providedto measure the distance between the photographic film and the lens unit40 (or the line CCD 116) by using infrared radiation or the like.

A timing generator 74 is connected to the line CCD 116. The timinggenerator 74 generates various timing signals (clock signals) foroperating the line CCD 116, A/D converters 82, which will be describedlater, and the like. Signal output ends of the line CCD 116 areconnected to the A/D converters 82 via amplifiers 76 and the signalsoutputted from the line CCD 116 are amplified by the amplifiers 76 andare converted to digital data in the A/D converters 82.

The output ends of the A/D converters 82 are each connected to aninterface (I/F) circuit 90 via a correlated double sampling circuit(CDS) 88. The CDS 88 effects sampling of feedthrough data whichindicates the level of a feed-through signal and pixel data whichindicates the level of a pixel signal and subtracts the feed-throughdata from the pixel data for each pixel. The calculated results (pixeldata which respectively correspond correctly to the amounts of chargeaccumulated in the CCD cells) are sequentially outputted, as scan imagedata, to the image processing section 16 via the I/F circuit 90.

Meanwhile, photometric signals of R, G, and B are outputted concurrentlyfrom the line CCD 116, and therefore, three signal processing systemseach including the amplifiers 76, the A/D converters 82, and CDSs 88 areprovided and image data of R, G, and B are concurrently outputted, asscan image data, from the I/F circuit 90.

Further, a shutter driving motor 92 which opens and closes the shutteris connected to the motor driver 48. The dark output of the line CCD 116is corrected in an image processing section 16 at a subsequent stage,and when reading of the film image is not effected, the dark outputlevel can be obtained by the microprocessor 46 closing the shutter.

Structure of Image Processing Section:

Next, a description will be given of the structure of the imageprocessing section 16 with reference to FIG. 5. The image processingsection 16 has a line scanner correcting portion 122 corresponding tothe line CCD scanner 14. The line scanner correcting portion 122includes three signal processing systems each having a dark correctingcircuit 124, a defective-pixel correcting portion 128, and a lightcorrecting circuit 130, correspondingly to image data of R, G, and Bconcurrently outputted from the line CCD scanner 14.

The dark correcting circuit 124 effects correction by storing, for eachof cells, data inputted from the line CCD scanner 14 (i.e., data whichrepresents a dark output level of each of cells of the sensing portionof the line CCD 116) in the state in which the light made incident onthe line CCD 116 is cut off by the shutter and by subtracting the darkoutput level of a cell corresponding to each pixel from scan image datainputted from the line CCD scanner 14.

Further, the photoelectric conversion characteristic of the line CCD 116varies for each of the cells. In the light correcting circuit 130 afterthe defective-pixel correcting portion 128, with an adjusting film imagewhose entire image surface has a constant density being set on the lineCCD scanner 14, a gain is set for each of the cells based on image dataof the adjusting film image inputted from the line CCD scanner 14 afterthe adjusting film image has been read by the line CCD 116 (thevariation in density between pixels represented by the image dataresults from variations of the photoelectric conversion characteristicsof the cells), and image data of a film image to be read inputted fromthe line CCD scanner 14 is corrected for each pixel in accordance withthe gain set for each of the cells.

On the other hand, when the density of a specified pixel in the imagedata of the adjusting film image is greatly different from that of otherpixels, there is some abnormality about the cell of the line CCD 116corresponding to the specified pixel and it can be determined that thespecified pixel is defective. The defective-pixel correcting portion 128stores an address of the defective pixel based on the image data of theadjusting film image. Among the image data of the film image to be readwhich is inputted from the line CCD scanner 14, data of the defectivepixel is interpolated by data of peripheral pixels to allow generationof new data.

Further, the line CCD 116 is formed in three lines (rows of CCD cells)which are disposed along the conveying direction of the photographicfilm 22 at predetermined intervals, and therefore, there is thedifference in time at which output of image data of each of componentcolors of R, G, and B from the line CCD scanner 14 starts between thesecomponent colors. The line scanner correcting portion 122 delays theimage-data output timing based on different delay times of the componentcolors so that image data of R, G, and B of the same pixel on the filmimage are outputted simultaneously.

Output ends of the line scanner correcting portion 122 are connected toinput ends of a selector 132 and image data outputted from thecorrecting portion 122 is inputted to the selector 132. The input end ofthe selector 132 is also connected to a data output end of aninput/output controller 134 and external-input film image data isinputted from the input/output controller 134 to the selector 132. Anoutput end of the selector 132 is connected to each data input end ofthe input/output controller 134 and image processor portions 136A and136B. The selector 132 allows the inputted image data to be selectivelyoutputted to each of the input/output controller 134 and the imageprocessor portions 136A and 136B.

The image processor portion 136A includes a memory controller 138, animage processor 140, and three frame memories 142A, 142B, and 142C. Theframe memories 142A, 142B, and 142C each have a capacity which allowsstorage of image data of a film image of one frame. The image datainputted from the selector 132 is stored in any one of the three framememories and the memory controller 138 controls an address when theimage data is stored in the frame memory 142 so that the inputted imagedata respectively corresponding to pixels are stored in a storage regionof the frame memory 142 in such a state as to be arranged in a fixedorder.

The image processor 140 fetches image data stored in the frame memory142 and effects various image processing including gradation conversion,color conversion, hyper-tone processing which compresses gradation ofextra-low frequency luminance components of an image, hyper-sharpnessprocessing which highlights sharpness while suppressing granularity, andthe like. Meanwhile, the processing condition of the above-describedimage processing is automatically calculated by an automatic set-upengine 144 (which will be described later) and the image processing iseffected in accordance with the calculated processing condition. Theimage processor 140 is connected to the input/output controller 134, andafter the image data subjected to the image processing is temporarilystored in the frame memory 142, the image data is outputted to theinput/output controller 134 at a predetermined timing. The imageprocessor portion 136B has the same structure as that of theabove-described image processor portion 136A, and a description thereofwill be omitted.

In the present embodiment, two reading operations of differentresolutions are effected for each film image in the line CCD scanner 14.In the case of the first reading operation at a relatively lowresolution (which will be referred to as “pre-scan”), even when thedensity of a film image is extremely low (for example, even when anoverexposed negative image on a negative film is used), reading of thefilm image is effected under a reading condition which is determined soas to prevent occurrence of saturation of accumulated charge in the lineCCD 116 (the amount of light irradiated on the photographic film foreach wavelength of light of the colors R, G, and B, and the time ofcharge accumulated in the CCD). The data obtained by the pre-scan (i.e.,pre-scan image data) is inputted from the selector 132 to theinput/output controller 134 and is also outputted to the automaticset-up engine 144 connected to the input/output controller 134.

The automatic set-up engine 144 includes CPU 146, RAM 148 (for example,DRAM), ROM 150 (for example, ROM which can rewrite the stored content),and an input/output port 152, which are connected together via a bus154.

The automatic set-up engine 144 calculates, based on pre-scan image dataof film images of a plurality of frames inputted from the input/outputcontroller 134, a processing condition of the image processing for imagedata (fine-scan image data) obtained by the second reading operation bythe line CCD scanner 14 at a relatively high resolution (which will behereinafter referred to as “fine scan”) and outputs the calculatedprocessing condition to the image processor 140 of the image processorportion 136. In the calculation of the processing condition of the imageprocessing, it is determined from an exposure amount duringphotographing, a type of a light source for photographing, and othercharacteristic amount, whether a plurality of film images with similarscenes photographed exists. When the plurality of film images withsimilar scenes photographed exists, the processing condition of imageprocessing for fine-scan image data of these film images is determinedso as to become identical or approximate.

Meanwhile, an optimum processing condition of image processing variesdepending on whether image data after image processing is used forrecording of an image on a photographic printing paper in the laserprinter section 18 or is outputted externally. The image processingsection 16 includes two image processor portions 136A, 136Bh, andtherefore, for example, when image data is used for recording of animage on a photographic printing paper and is also outputted externally,the automatic set-up engine 144 calculates a processing condition mostsuitable for each of various purposes and outputs the calculatedprocessing condition to the image processor portions 136A, 136B. As aresult, in the image processor portions 136A, 136B, image processing iseffected for the same fine-scan image data under different processingconditions.

Moreover, the automatic set-up engine 144 calculates, based on pre-scanimage data of the film image inputted from the input/output controller134, an image-recording parameter which defines gray balance when animage is recorded on a photographic printing paper in the laser printersection 18, and outputs the calculated parameter simultaneously withoutputting of recording image data (described later) to the laserprinter section 18. Further, the automatic set-up engine 144 calculatesa processing condition for image processing for file image data inputtedfrom the outside in the same way as the aforementioned.

The input/output controller 134 is connected via an I/F circuit 156 tothe laser printer section 18. When the image data after image processingis used for recording of an image on a photographic printing paper, theimage data subjected to image processing in the image processor portion136 is outputted, as recording image data, from the input/outputcontroller 134 to the laser printer section 18 via the I/F circuit 156.Further, the automatic set-up engine 144 is connected to a personalcomputer 158. When the image data subjected to image processing isoutputted externally as an image file, the image data subjected to imageprocessing in the image processor portion 136 is outputted from theinput/output controller 134 to the personal computer 158 via theautomatic set-up engine 144.

The personal computer 158 includes a CPU 160, a memory 162, a display164, a keyboard 166 (also seen in FIG. 2), a hard disk 168, a CD-ROMdriver 170, a conveying control portion 172, an extension slot 174, andan image compression/extension portion 176. These components areconnected together via a bus 178. The conveying control portion 172 isconnected to the film carrier 38 and controls conveying of thephotographic film 22 effected by the film carrier 38. Further, when anAPS film is set in the film carrier 38, magnetically recorded data readfrom the magnetic layer of the APS film by the film carrier 38 isinputted.

A driver (not shown) which effects data reading/writing for a storagemedium such as a memory card, or a communication control device whichcommunicates with other information processing equipment is connectedvia the extension slot 174 to the personal computer 158. When image datato be outputted externally is inputted from the input/output controller134, the image data is outputted, as an image file, to the outside (forexample, to the above-described driver or communication control device)via the extension slot 174. Further, when file image data is inputtedfrom the outside via the extension slot 174, the inputted file imagedata is outputted to the input/output controller 134 via the automaticset-up engine 144. In this case, the input/output controller 134 outputsthe inputted file image data to the selector 132.

Meanwhile, when the pre-scan image data or the like is outputted to thepersonal computer 158, a film image read by the line CCD scanner 14 isshown on the display 164 or an image obtained by being recorded on thephotographic printing paper is estimated and shown on the display 164,and an instruction for correction of the image, or the like is given byan operator via the keyboard 166, the image processing section 16 alsoallows the correction of an image to be reflected in the processingcondition for image processing. Structures of laser printer section andprocessor section:

Next, a description will be given of the laser printer section 18 andthe processor section 20. FIG. 6 shows the structure of an opticalsystem of the laser printer section 18. The laser printer section 18includes three laser light sources 210R, 210G, and 210B. The laser lightsource 210R is formed from a semiconductor laser (LD) which emits laserlight having a wavelength of R. The laser light source 210G is formedfrom an LD and a wavelength conversion element (SHG) which convertslaser light emitted from the LD to laser light whose wavelength is ahalf thereof and an oscillation wavelength of the LD is determined sothat laser light having a wavelength of G is emitted from the SHG.Similarly, the laser light source 210B is also formed from the LD andSHG and the oscillation wavelength of the LD is determined so that laserlight having a wavelength of B is emitted from the SHG.

A collimator lens 212 and an acoustooptic light modulation element (AOM)214 are sequentially disposed at a laser light exit side of each of thelaser light sources 210R, 210G, and 210B. Each AOM 214 is disposed so asto allow incident laser light to be transmitted through an acoustoopticmedium and is also connected to an AOM driver 216 (see FIG. 7). When ahigh-frequency signal is inputted from the AOM driver 216, an ultrasonicwave corresponding to the high-frequency signal is propagated throughthe acoustooptic medium and an acoustooptic effect acts on laser lighttransmitted through the acoustooptic medium to cause diffraction. As aresult, laser light having an intensity corresponding to the amplitudeof the high-frequency signal is emitted, as diffracted light, from eachAOM 214.

A polygon mirror 218 is disposed at the side where diffracted light isemitted from each AOM 214. Three laser light beams each havingwavelengths of R, G, and B, which are emitted as diffracted light fromthe AOMs 214, are irradiated on the reflecting surface of the polygonmirror 218 substantially at the same position and are further reflectedby the polygon mirror 218. An fθ lens 220 and a plane mirror 222 aredisposed at the side where laser light is emitted from the polygonmirror 218 and the three laser light beams reflected by the polygonmirror 218 are transmitted through the fθ lens 220, reflected by theplane mirror 222, and is then irradiated on the photographic printingpaper 224.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the structures of electric systems of thelaser printer section 18 and the processor section 20. The laser printersection 18 includes a frame memory 230 which stores image data. Theframe memory 230 is connected via an I/F circuit 232 to the imageprocessing section 16 and recording image data inputted from the imageprocessing section 16 (i.e., image data which represent densities of R,G, and B for each of pixels of an image to be recorded on thephotographic printing paper 224) are temporarily stored in the framememory 230 via the I/F circuit 232. The frame memory 230 is connectedvia an D/A converter 234 to an exposure section 236 and is alsoconnected to a printer-section control circuit 238.

The exposure section 236 includes, as described above, three laser lightsources 210 each formed from the LD (and the SHG) and three systems eachincluding AOM 214 and AOM driver 216, and also includes the polygonmirror 218 and a main-scan unit 240 having a motor for rotating thepolygon mirror 218. The exposure section 236 is connected to theprinter-section control circuit 238 and the operation of each portionthereof is controlled by the printer-section control circuit 238.

In order that an image represented by image data for recording isrecorded on the photographic printing paper 224 by scan and exposure,the printer-section control circuit 238 effects, based on animage-recording parameter inputted from the image processing section 16,various corrections for the recording image data to prepare image datafor scan and exposure and stores the prepared image data in the framememory 230. Subsequently, the polygon mirror 218 of the exposure section236 is rotated and laser light is emitted from each of the laser lightsources 210R, 210G, and 210B, and further, the prepared image data forscan and exposure is outputted from the frame memory 230 to the exposuresection 236 via the D/A converter 234. As a result, the image data forscan and exposure is converted to an analog signal and is furtherinputted to the exposure section 236.

The AOM driver 216 varies the amplitude of an ultrasonic signal suppliedfor the AOM 214 in accordance with the level of the inputted analogsignal and modulates the intensity of laser light emitted as diffractedlight from the AOM 214 in accordance with the level of the analog signal(i.e., any one of densities of R, G, and B of each pixel of an image tobe recorded on the photographic printing paper 224). Accordingly, laserlight beams of R, G, and B, of which intensity is modulated inaccordance with the densities of R, G, and B of the image to be recordedon the photographic printing paper 224 are emitted from the three AOMs214 and these laser light beams are irradiated together on thephotographic printing paper 224 via the polygon mirror 218, the fθ lens220, and the mirror 222.

The main scan is effected in such a manner that the position where eachlaser light beam is irradiated is scanned along the direction indicatedby arrow B in FIG. 6 accompanied with the rotation of the polygon mirror218 and sub-scan of laser light is effected in such a manner that thephotographic printing paper 224 is conveyed at constant speed along thedirection indicated by arrow C in FIG. 6, and therefore, an image isrecorded on the photographic printing paper 224 by scan and exposure.The photographic printing paper 224 on which the image has been recordedby scan and exposure is transferred to the processor section 20.

A printer-section driver 242 is connected to the printer-section controlcircuit 238. Connected to the printer-section driver 242 are a fan 244and a magazine motor 246. The fan 244 blows air against the exposuresection 236 and the magazine motor 246 is used to pull out thephotographic printing paper accommodated in a magazine mounted in thelaser printer section. Further, connected to the printer-section controlcircuit 238 is a back print portion 248 in which characters and the likeare printed onto the rear surface of the photographic printing paper224. Each operation of the fan 244, the magazine motor 246, and the backprint portion 248 is controlled by the printer-section control circuit238.

Further, also connected to the printer-section control circuit 238 are amagazine sensor 250, an operation panel 252 (also seen in FIG. 2), adensitometer 254, and a processor-section control circuit 256 of theprocess section 20. The magazine sensor 250 detects a mounted/detachedstate of the magazine in which an unexposed photographic printing paper224 is accommodated and the size of the photographic printing paperaccommodated in the magazine, the operation panel 252 is used by anoperator to input various instructions, the densitometer 254 measuresthe density of an image visualized after the image has been subjected todevelopment and the like in the processor section 20.

Connected to the processor-section control circuit 256 is amiscellaneous sensor 258 which detects passing of the photographicprinting paper 224 conveyed on the conveying path within the machinebody of the processor section 20 and the liquid-surface position of eachof various processing solutions filled in a processing tank, and thelike.

Further, connected to the processor-section control circuit 256 are asorter 260 (also seen in FIG. 2), a replenishing system 262, and anautomatic washing system 264. The sorter 260 is used to sort, everypredetermined group, photographic printing papers subjected todevelopment processing and the like and discharged from the machinebody, the replenishing system 262 is used to replenish the processingtank of the replenishing solution, and the automatic washing system 264allows washing of rollers and the like. Further, a miscellaneouspump/solenoid 268 is connected via a processor-section driver 266 to theprocessor-section control circuit 256. Each operation of the sorter 260,the replenishing system 262, the automatic washing system 264, and themiscellaneous pump/solenoid 268 is controlled by the processor-sectioncontrol circuit 256.

Structure of Film Carrier:

Next, a description will be given of the structure of the film carrier38 for the APS film with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows the state inwhich the film carrier 38 is set in the line CCD scanner 14. (In FIG. 8,the light adjusting filters 114C, 114M, and 114Y, the light diffusionbox 36, and the like are not illustrated.)

The film carrier 38 includes conveying roller pairs 280 and 282 whichare disposed at respective sides of an optical axis L of light emittedfrom the light source 30 with the optical axis L as the center. Theconveying roller pairs 280 and 282 are rotated due to driving force ofthe motors 284 and 286 being transmitted thereto, and as the conveyingroller pairs 280 and 282 rotate, the photographic film 22 nipped by theconveying roller pairs 280 and 282 is conveyed across the optical axisL. The motors 284 and 286 are connected to the conveying control portion172 via drivers 288 and 290, respectively. Disposed at the positionwhere the conveying path of the photographic film 22 crosses the opticalaxis L is a mask 293 which blocks light emitted from the light source 30and transmitted through regions other than the image recording range ofthe photographic film 22 and which can vary the range over which lightis blocked off.

A magnetic head 292 used for reading magnetically recorded data which ismagnetically recorded on a magnetic layer of the photographic film 22(i.e., the APS film) is disposed close to the conveying path of thephotographic film 22. The magnetically recorded data represents aphotographing condition at the time of photographing or the like, andincludes data such as the photographing time, the amount of exposure atthe time of photographing, the type of light source used forphotographing, whether the image is a photographed backlit scene, andthe like. The magnetically recorded data read by the magnetic head 292is amplified by an amplifier (AMP) 294 to a predetermined level andconverted to digital data by the A/D converter 296, and further, isinputted to the conveying control portion 172.

The magnetic head 292 corresponds to the magnetically recordeddata-reading means of the present invention, and the film carrier 38 andthe conveying control portion 172 each correspond to the conveying meansof the present invention.

Operation:

As the operation of the image reading apparatus according to theembodiment of the present invention, description will be given ofreading condition calculation processing (see FIG. 9), which is executedby the automatic set-up engine 144 of the image processing section 16when a film image recorded on the photographic film 22 is read, and filmimage reading processing (see FIG. 10) executed by the conveying controlportion 172. There will be hereinafter described a case in which a filmimage recorded on the APS film serving as the photographic film 22 isread and the reading of the film image is effected by the line CCDscanner 14 in which the film carrier 38 is set. The automatic set-upengine 144 and the conveying control portion 172 each correspond to thecontrol means of the present invention.

In the reading condition calculation processing, first, in step 400, apredetermined reading condition during pre-scan of a film image isnotified to the line CCD scanner 14, and an instruction to execute ofpre-scan of the film image recorded on the photographic film 22 is givento the line CCD scanner 14 and the conveying control portion 172. Instep 402, it is determined whether pre-scan image data and magneticallyrecorded data magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer of thephotographic film 22 have been inputted. When the determination in step402 is negative, the process proceeds to step 404, where it isdetermined whether pre-scan image data and the magnetically recordeddata of all of the film images recorded on one roll of photographic filmhave been inputted. When the determination in step 404 is also negative,the process returns to step 402, and steps 402 and 404 are repeated.

On the other hand, in the film image reading processing, first, in step500, it is determined whether execution of pre-scan has been indicated,and the process is placed in a stand-by state until the decision of step500 becomes affirmative. When execution of pre-scan is indicated, thedetermination in step 500 becomes affirmative. In subsequent step 502,as also shown in FIG. 11, the film carrier 38 conveys the photographicfilm 22 in a predetermined direction (which will be hereinafter referredto as the forward direction) at a fixed conveying speed suitable forpre-scan and reading of magnetically recorded data.

In step 504, it is determined whether a film image has arrived at theposition where a film image is read by the line CCD 116. When thedetermination in step 504 is negative, the process proceeds to step 506,where it is determined whether reading of all of the film imagesrecorded on one roll of photographic film and magnetically recorded datawhich represents photographing conditions at the time of photographing,and the like has been effected. When the determination in step 506 isnegative, the process returns to step 502, and steps 502 to 506 arerepeated. When the determination in step 504 becomes affirmative in step508, the film image is read by the line CCD 116 o f the line CCD scanner14 in accordance with the reading condition for pre-scan which wasnotified from the automatic set-up engine 144, and simultaneously, themagnetically recorded data which is magnetically recorded on themagnetic layer of the photographic film 22 is also read. The image dataobtained by the above reading is outputted, as pre-scan image data, tothe image processing section 16 together with the magnetically recordeddata.

When the above-described step 508 is repeated each time a film imagearrives at the position where a film image is to be read by the line CCD116, film images are read sequentially from a leading side of thephotographic film in the forward direction (in the order of framenumbers 1,2, . . . , n, assuming that frame numbers 1,2, . . . , n arerespectively given to film images sequentially from the leading side inthe forward direction), and the magnetically recorded data recorded incorrespondence with each film image is also read. The image data(pre-scan image data) obtained by the above reading and the magneticallyrecorded data are sequentially outputted to the image processing section16.

As the reading condition at the pre-scan, a standard reading conditionis used which is set such that the majority of the film images (filmimages whose densities fall in a predetermined range) can be readaccurately and such that no saturation of charge accumulated in the lineCCD 116 occurs even when a film image having a low density is read.

In the reading condition calculation processing (see FIG. 9), whenpre-scan image data and magnetically recorded data are inputted, thedetermination in step 402 becomes affirmative, and the process proceedsto step 406 where based on the inputted pre-scan image data andmagnetically recorded data which represents a photographing condition atthe time of photographing or the like, a reading condition for carryingout fine scan of the same film image is calculated on the basis of acharacteristic amount such as an average density of a film image and isstored in the RAM 148 or the like in correspondence with the framenumber.

In subsequent step 408, an amount of exposure of a film image at thetime of photographing, a type of light source used for photographing,and other characteristic amounts are determined based on the inputtedpre-scan image data and magnetically recorded data which represents aphotographing condition at the time of photographing or the like. Basedon the obtained characteristic amounts, a processing condition of imageprocessing for fine scan image data obtained by carrying out fine scanon the same film image is calculated, and the calculated processingcondition is stored in the RAM 148 in correspondence with the framenumber, and thereafter, the process returns to step 402.

When the determination in step 404 is affirmative, i.e., when it isdetermined that pre-scan image data and the magnetically recorded datawhich represents photographing conditions and the like of all of thefilm images recorded on one roll of photographic film 22 have beeninputted, the process proceeds to step 410, where the reading conditionsat fine scan for each film image, which is calculated and stored in theRAM 148, is notified to the line CCD scanner 14, and an instruction toexecute of fine scan is given to the line CCD scanner 14 and theconveying control portion 172. Further, in subsequent step 412, theprocessing conditions of image processing for fine scan image data ofeach film image, which has been calculated and stored in the RAM 148, isnotified to the image processor 140 of the image processor portion 136.

On the other hand, in the film image reading processing (see FIG. 10),when reading of all of the film images is completed, the decision ofstep 506 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 510 where thephotographic film 22 is conveyed by the film carrier 38 at a fixedconveying speed in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction(i.e., the photographic film 22 is conveyed in the reverse direction).

In step 512, it is determined whether a film image has arrived at theposition where a film image is to be read by the line CCD 116. When thedetermination in step 512 is negative, the process proceeds to step 514in which it is determined whether reading of all of the film imagesrecorded on one roll of photographic film has been carried out. When thedetermination in step 514 is also negative, the process returns to step510 and steps 510 to 514 are repeated. When the determination in step512 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 516 where the filmimage is read by the line CCD 116 in accordance with the readingcondition for fine scan notified from the automatic set-up engine 144,and the image data obtained by the above reading is outputted, as finescan image data, to the image processing section 16.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, immediatelyafter pre-scan of all film of the images has been completed, the filmimages are read by the line CCD 116 in accordance with the notifiedreading condition for fine scan sequentially from the final end in theforward direction (in the order of frame numbers n, n−1, . . . , 1), andthe obtained image data is outputted, as fine scan image data, to theimage processing section 16. In the image processor portion 136, thefine scan image data of each film image inputted from the line CCDscanner 14 to the image processing section 16 is subjected to imageprocessing according to the processing condition calculated for thatfilm image in the automatic set-up engine 144, and is then outputted.

In the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of thepresent invention, preliminary reading of a film image and reading ofmagnetically recorded data are effected concurrently during one filmconveying operation, and therefore, the number of times a film must beconveyed in order to read a film image can be reduced, and wear of amagnetic head for reading magnetically recorded data and damage to thefilm, which accompany the conveying of the film, can be prevented.

The conveying speed of the APS film suitable for magnetic recording ofdata onto a magnetic layer of the APS film has a relatively high degreeof freedom. Accordingly, for example, data such as the reading conditionfor fine scan calculated in step 406, the processing condition for imageprocessing of fine scan image data calculated in step 408, and the likemay be magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer of the photographicfilm 22 (i.e., the APS film) concurrently with the fine scan when thefine scan is effected while the photographic film 22 is conveyed in thereverse direction. As a result, when the film image recorded on the APSfilm is read again in order to be recorded on a recording material at alater date, fine scan and image processing of the fine scan image datacan be effected under the same conditions as those of the previousprocessing.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image reading apparatus in which a preliminaryreading is carried out of a film image recorded on an elongatedphotographic film, and a main reading condition for main reading of thefilm image is determined based on results of the preliminary reading,and main reading of the film image is carried out under the main readingcondition, comprising: a film image reading section which reads the filmimage recorded on the photographic film; a magnetically recorded datareading section which reads first magnetically recorded data which ismagnetically recorded on a magnetic recording layer of the photographicfilm; a conveyor which conveys the photographic film; and a controllerfor controlling said film image reading section to carry out thepreliminary reading of each of film images recorded on the photographicfilm while controlling said conveyor to convey the photographic film ina predetermined direction, and for controlling said magneticallyrecorded data reading section to read the first magnetically recordeddata concurrently with the preliminary reading of the film images bysaid film image reading section.
 2. An image reading apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein said film image reading section is a scanner using aline image sensor.
 3. An image reading apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the preliminary reading and the reading of the firstmagnetically recorded data are carried out when the photographic film isconveyed by said conveyor in a forward direction, and the main readingis carried out when the photographic film is conveyed by said conveyorin a reverse direction.
 4. An image reading apparatus according to claim1, further comprising: a magnetically recorded data writing sectionwhich writes second magnetically recorded data on a magnetic recordinglayer of the photographic film.
 5. An image reading apparatus accordingto claim 4, wherein the second magnetically recorded data is at leastone of the main reading condition and a processing condition for imagedata obtained by the main reading.
 6. An image reading apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein writing of the second magneticallyrecorded data is carried out when the photographic film is conveyed bysaid conveyor in the reverse direction.
 7. An image reading method inwhich a preliminary reading is carried out of a film image recorded onan elongated photographic film, and a main reading condition for mainreading of the film image is determined based on results of thepreliminary reading, and main reading of the film image is carried outunder the main reading condition, comprising the steps of: performing apreliminary reading of the film image recorded on the photographic film;and reading first magnetically recorded data which is magneticallyrecorded on a magnetic recording layer of the photographic film, whereinthe preliminary reading of the film image and the reading of the firstmagnetically recorded data are carried out concurrently while thephotographic film is being conveyed by a conveyor in a predetermineddirection.
 8. An image reading method according to claim 7, wherein thepreliminary reading of the film image recorded on the photographic filmis carried out by a scanner using a line image sensor.
 9. An imagereading method according to claim 7, wherein the preliminary reading andthe reading of the first magnetically recorded data are carried out whenthe photographic film is conveyed by said conveyor in a forwarddirection, and the main reading is carried out when the photographicfilm is conveyed by said conveyor in a reverse direction.
 10. An imagereading method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:writing second magnetically recorded data on a magnetic recording layerof the photographic film.
 11. An image reading method according to claim10, wherein the second magnetically recorded data is at least one of themain reading condition and a processing condition for image dataobtained by the main reading.
 12. An image reading method according toclaim 10, wherein writing of the second magnetically recorded data iscarried out when the photographic film is conveyed by said conveyor inthe reverse direction.
 13. An image reading apparatus in which apreliminary reading is carried out of a film image recorded on anelongated photographic film, and based on a result of the preliminaryreading, a main reading condition for main reading of the film image isdetermined, and a main reading of the film image is carried out underthe main reading condition, comprising: a film image reading sectionwhich reads the film image recorded on the photographic film; amagnetically recorded data reading section which reads firstmagnetically recorded data which is magnetically recorded on a magneticrecording layer of the photographic film; a conveying section whichconveys the photographic film; and a control section which controls saidfilm image reading section and said magnetically recorded data readingsection such that the preliminary reading of each of film imagesrecorded on the photographic film and reading of the first magneticallyrecorded data are carried out concurrently at one film conveyingoperation in which the photographic film is conveyed in a predetermineddirection.